The Growing Need for Reliable EV Charging Infrastructure

The anticipated surge in electric vehicle (EV) adoption necessitates a substantial network of charging stations. However, simply installing these stations is insufficient; ensuring their consistent functionality is paramount, a challenge currently being faced by the industry.

Often, charging station malfunctions go undetected unless an error message is generated or a driver actively reports the issue. This can lead to prolonged periods of downtime and frustration for EV owners.

ChargerHelp!: Addressing the Repair Gap

Kameale C. Terry, co-founder of ChargerHelp!, an on-demand repair application specifically for EV charging stations, has directly observed these operational difficulties. The company aims to bridge the gap between station failure and effective repair.

In a recent discussion, Terry recounted an instance where a client initially attributed low station utilization to a limited number of EVs in the vicinity. The actual cause, however, proved to be quite different.

“An abandoned vehicle was obstructing access, and the charging station was surrounded by muddy conditions,” Terry explained. She co-founded the company alongside Evette Ellis and currently serves as CEO.

Investment and Expansion

The demand for ChargerHelp!’s services has garnered both customer interest and significant investment. The company has successfully secured $2.75 million in funding from investors including Trucks VC, Kapor Capital, JFF, Energy Impact Partners, and The Fund.

This recent funding round has established a post-money valuation of $11 million for the startup, which was initially founded in January 2020.

These funds will be strategically allocated to enhance the platform’s capabilities, expand the team beyond its current 27 employees, and broaden the geographical scope of its service offerings.

Streamlining the Repair Process

ChargerHelp! collaborates directly with both charging station manufacturers and network providers to optimize the repair workflow.

“Currently, when a station experiences a failure, there is a distinct lack of readily available troubleshooting guidance,” Terry noted. Resolving this often requires dispatching a technician to the site for comprehensive diagnostics to pinpoint the precise issue.

Following an on-site assessment, the technician typically relays the collected data to the client, initiating the process of ordering the necessary, specific replacement part – a procedure that isn’t consistently followed at present.

Proactive Maintenance

While positioned as an on-demand repair service, ChargerHelp! also functions as a preventative maintenance solution for its clientele. This proactive approach aims to minimize downtime and maximize the operational lifespan of charging infrastructure.

A New Approach to EV Charger Maintenance

The concept behind ChargerHelp originated from Kameale Terry’s professional background at EV Connect, where she fulfilled various leadership positions, including Head of Customer Experience and Director of Programs.

Her experience encompassed collaboration with twelve different charger manufacturers, providing her with valuable insights into their operational mechanisms and frequently encountered issues.

It was during this period that a significant unmet need within the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector became apparent.

“Frequently, when charging stations experienced downtime, securing on-site assistance proved challenging, as the majority of problems stemmed from communication failures, acts of vandalism, necessary firmware updates, or component replacements – issues that didn’t require an electrician,” Terry explained.

Despite this, the standard procedure involved dispatching electrical contractors to address problems at the charging stations.

Terry noted that resolving these non-electrical issues could often take up to a month to schedule an electrical contractor.

Terry proactively addressed issues herself when they arose at stations in the Los Angeles area, where she resides.

“I personally handled component replacements when needed,” Terry stated, emphasizing that her background wasn’t in software or technical repairs.

“This led me to believe that if I could master these tasks, anyone could.”

In January 2020, Terry resigned from her position and founded ChargerHelp.

She subsequently joined the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, where a training program was developed to equip individuals with the skills to repair EV chargers.

It was at LACI that she connected with Kristel Ellis, a career coach at LACI and also affiliated with the Long Beach Job Corp Center.

Ellis currently serves as ChargerHelp’s Chief Workforce Officer.

Since its inception, Terry and Ellis have been selected for the Elemental Excelerator startup incubator.

They have secured approximately $400,000 in grant funding, initiated a preventative maintenance pilot program with Tellus Power, and established contracts with EV charging networks and manufacturers, including EV Connect, ABB, and SparkCharge.

Furthermore, they have assembled a core team of seven employees and completed the training of their initial group of technicians.

Employee Recruitment Strategy

Image Credits: ChargerHelp

ChargerHelp prioritizes a workforce development model when sourcing talent. The organization exclusively recruits personnel in groups, rather than individually.

During its initial recruitment phase for electric vehicle service technicians, the company processed over 1,600 applications, as noted by Terry. From this pool, 20 candidates were selected for training, with 18 ultimately securing positions servicing contracts in six states: California, Oregon, Washington, New York, and Texas.

All individuals chosen for the training program receive a stipend and are awarded two safety certifications.

The company is scheduled to launch its second recruitment drive in April. All positions are full-time, offering a guaranteed hourly wage of $30, and employees are also granted equity in the company, Terry explained.

ChargerHelp is collaborating directly with workforce development centers located in the regions where technicians are needed.